According to investigators, Garrett told them Morton-Lane came into his house with a knife.

"In Vermont, you have the right to defend yourself," said Hanna.

She said if arrested, Garrett would probably be looking at charges of manslaughter.

"I would be extremely surprised if he was charged with any kind of criminal action," Hanna said.

If the case went to court, a jury would be asked if Garrett's actions were justified and/or reasonable.

"I would be extremely surprised if there would be any jury in the state of Vermont that would convict this homeowner of any criminal act, unless there were some facts that came to light that we don't yet know of," said Hanna.

Essex police found two knives at scene on Friday and said they were still investigating the case on Sunday.

An autopsy concluded Morton-Lane died of a stab wound to the heart.

Hanna said if Morton-Lane's family tried to sue, they probably wouldn't get very far.

"The intruder was contributorily negligent. They were at fault for this, they were the cause of all this and I think that there really would be, again, given the facts that we know, no way that a civil jury would award any damages here," said Hanna.

Police said Morton-Lane has a violent criminal record and that they identified him through his fingerprints.